Scintilla Magneto Manual [portable] May 2026

Before cracking open the housing, perform a visual and tactile "health check":

The Comprehensive Guide to Scintilla Magneto Maintenance and Operation scintilla magneto manual

Unlike modern electronic ignitions, a Scintilla magneto is a self-contained high-voltage generator. It doesn’t require a battery to operate; instead, it uses a rotating magnet to induce an electrical current in a primary coil. Before cracking open the housing, perform a visual

"E-gap" stands for Efficiency Gap. It is the specific number of degrees past the magnetic neutral position where the points are timed to open. Before cracking open the housing

Turn the drive shaft by hand. You should feel a distinct "snap" or resistance (the magnetic "E-gap"). If it spins freely with no resistance, the magnets may be weak or the bearings shot.